Origin Systems, creators of the classic Ultima and Wing Commander series, has just announced its plans to host the Online Worlds FanFest 2001. Scheduled for two days in October at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, Origin expects a thousand fans of the hit massively multiplayer RPG, Ultima Online, to attend the show to meet and greet fellow UO gamers. Says Ben Noel, vice president and chief operating officer of Origin, "The Online Worlds FanFest is an event that showcases one of the most popular and longest-running online games available, Ultima Online, and pays homage to the continuously growing community that has flourished through participation in the game."

Besides giving fans a chance to take part in various UO events, including a silent auction for exclusive game-related collectibles, Noel hopes to use the FanFest as a chance to demonstrate both the future of UO as well as other MMORPGs in development at Electronic Arts, Origin's parent company. Numerous speakers, many with their own online games in tow, will attend the event including Maxis co-founder and creator of The Sims, Will Wright, and Gordon Walton, executive producer of the upcoming The Sims Online. Other guest speakers include Spawn creator, Todd McFarlane, and Brett Sperry, chief creative officer at Westwood Studios, best known for the Command and Conquer real-time strategy games.

The Online Worlds FanFest looks ready to please any and all UO players as well as give attendees a sneak peak at Electronic Arts' future plans for online gaming. Although the event will not begin until October 26, interested participants are encouraged to pre-register at the event's official site.